More stories

  • in

    ‘Take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego? Trump is beyond irresponsible | Ted Widmer

    We appear to be entering a new era, in which political desperation at home leads to increasingly unhinged threats abroadDonald Trump was in Nebraska on Monday, and though his long rally speech had elements of a performance, this was no Bruce Springsteen album. He offered another dark meditation on a world spiraling out of control, one in which the destruction of American cities is increasingly a possibility, unless Americans trust him to use the vast powers of the presidency to annihilate his foes.The president drew fury when he suggested that Iran could launch a nuclear attack and “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego. California leaders reacted with scorn at Trump’s alarmism.Ted Widmer, a former White House speechwriter, is the editor of American Speeches, and the recently published The Living Declaration: A Biography of America’s Founding Text, both published by the Library of America Continue reading… More

  • in

    The surprising, cut-throat race for Los Angeles mayor

    Karen Bass is fighting for her political life as progressives battle to lead the US’s second-largest cityAsk our reporters your questions about the Iran war and the US midtermsKaren Bass has never lost an election. But this fall, she faces the fight of her political life.Bass has roughly a month to convince voters that she should be elected to a second term as the mayor of Los Angeles. Given Angelenos’ broad dissatisfaction with the direction of the city, approval ratings on par with Donald Trump’s and a wave of anti-establishment sentiment sweeping American politics, she has a formidable challenge in city council member Nithya Raman. Continue reading… More